Spring Reading

My mom let me borrow the book, Room, by Emma Donoghue for Spring Break. I wanted a book that was a quick read, and once I started it (the last day in Florida), I was done in the next two days.

I LOVE to read. I loved it when I was little, and then for a period of time (middle school-college) I think I forgot that I loved it. You have to read so much for school that I think reading for fun falls to the wayside. As soon as I graduated college I started reading for fun again. I am sad to say that Room is the first real book I've read in 2011 and it's already March. I have read two teaching books, but nothing for fun. It makes me want to read more though because it was really good.

To me this book was a you-can't-put-it-down-kinda-good. It is so interesting because it is told from a five year old's perspective. His mom was captured by a perverted, creepy, loner man when she was 19 years old. The man keeps her against her will in a storage shed in his backyard in an 11x11 square foot space (for more than 6 years). She ends up giving birth to his son there, and creates a world where her son, Jack, doesn't know there's a world outside their "room." I love how much his mother loves him to protect him and put him above her own needs, and it is so interesting to hear it all through Jack's point of view. Think of an Elizabeth Smart type of story. I definitely recommend it.

Speaking of books, I love the website www.goodreads.com. You create lists of books you have read, are currently reading, and want to read. It inspires me to read books, and you can also rate books, have friends on there and view their lists, and read other ratings. My user name is amperry if you want to see my list!

Penny's Adventures

Before we left for Florida, Penny got to meet my brother Stephen. She loved him of course, and I had fun having him in Austin, even if it was for less than 24 hours. I miss having my siblings in Texas!

Stephen and I drove from Austin to Sugar Land together with Penny (Matt was already in Houston for work). We brought Penny over to my parents house for them to watch her while we were in Florida. We weren't sure how Bailey would react to her being there, but caught them together a few times. She at least tolerated her. :) Penny can be a pain! My parents were so great to take care of her, especially at 11 weeks old when she's chewing and not totally potty trained. Oops! Thanks mom and dad :)

Oh and PS. that last picture...while we were gone Penny kept trying to escape through the fence in the backyard at my parents house. This was the solution and I died when I saw it. She looks like one of those kids at the pool in the summer that is constantly wearing a round floaty. Ha!

Spring Break: Couples Retreat 2011

This year for spring break, Matt and I decided we wanted to go to a beach somewhere (typical). It ended up working perfectly for us to stay at a beach house in Destin with 3 other great couples: Lat and Broun, Morgan and Keith, and Dave, Katy, and 3 month old baby Myla. It was super relaxing and included lots of game playing, dancing, laughing, relaxing on the beach, cooking meals together, watching movies, and fellowship with friends.

We made the 10+ hour drive late on Friday afternoon (arriving at 3:30 in the morning), and stayed until Tuesday night. The house was on a lake/pond where we took a 1 minute boat ride in a tiny motor boat across to a private beach. It was perfect. I took a lot of pictures, but here are just a few to do the rest of the talking.

Try #3 with blogging.

2011 is going to be a busy year for our family. We have lots of events (weddings, trips) as well as many changes this year and I decided I needed to docume

nt it. Some changes include:

• Moving to Austin (ok technically 2010 since we moved on New Years' Eve)
• Having a bigger apartment=more guests visiting/staying with us (even in town guests-Daughty). If you want to come see us in Austin--extra bedroom and bath! We'd love it.
• I started student teaching in second grade and am working on finishing up my teaching certification. Bad timing with the budget in Austin, but I'm hopeful/positive about finding something
• Matt is working with the same company but was transferred to Austin.
• Going to Austin Stone again
• Building up a new community of friends in Austin- old and new friends.
• and finally....getting our adorable puppy Penny! She is a golden retriever, she was born the day after Christmas, and she is a great addition to our family. We are so thankful for the Papso's in Sugar Land for letting us be one of nine people to get one of these amazing little pups. We got her the day before Valentine's day and she's so sweet/cuddly/playful and fun.

On our way to Austin from picking her up in Sugar Land